George Twitty
by Michael Seale

It might be a little known fact among college football trivia experts, but the NCAA record for the longest interception return for a touchdown (105 yards) is held by none other than George Twitty, who accomplished the feat in 2003 while a defensive back for the University of the South (Sewanee). Twitty might list that accomplishment as his finest football moment, but it has some heavy competition from some of his memories from his time playing in Mountain Brook Athletics.

"When I played little league football the 3rd and 4th grades were combined and so I was only allowed to play in the 4th grade," Twitty recalls. "I was one of the smallest kids on the field, standing about 4 feet tall and weighing in at maybe 55 pounds. I wore red cleats so my parents could see me on the field. I remember playing quarterback and would constantly mix up plays and turn the wrong way for hand offs. Fortunately, I had speed on my side and was able to run around the ends whenever I made a mistake. Nonetheless, I was still able to set my personal record of 18 touchdowns in one season, and my team came in 2nd place."

Those memories from MBA football helped prepare Twitty for what was to be a Twitty was part of one of the most successful eras in Mountain Brook Spartans football history, as those Spartan teams (2000-2003) consistently made the playoffs and reached the state semifinals his senior year, losing to eventual state champion Hoover by a touchdown, a game that brings back some "painful memories" for Twitty, as his Spartans dream of an undefeated season was dashed by Hoover QB John Parker Wilson and NFL wide receiver Chad Jackson.

In addition to his NCAA record interception return, Twitty was also showered with several more honors on the gridiron while playing college ball. He holds the University of the South Individual Record for most tackles in a single game (2004), he was named the Tigers' Most Valuable Player in 2005 and 2006; he was the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week in September ‘04 and again in September of ‘05; was a 2nd Team All Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference selection in 2004 and 2005; he won the Phillip Cole/Stephen Motley Spirit Award in 2005; was the Team Captain in 2006; and was on both the Football Players Advisory Council (2006) and Football Recruits Hosting Committee (2004-2006).

Twitty now coaches football in Mountain Brook Athletics, and said he hopes to continue coaching in MBA football as long as time permits.